U.S. patent application number 13/396223 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-16 for use of internet web technology to register wireless access customers.
This patent application is currently assigned to WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS LLC.. Invention is credited to Michael Bowring, William John Jones.
Application Number | 20120208509 13/396223 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24511455 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120208509 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jones; William John ; et
al. |
August 16, 2012 |
Use of Internet Web Technology to Register Wireless Access
Customers
Abstract
Internet web technology is used to allow new wireless Internet
customers to self register by providing an anonymous session
connection on the wireless network between a special registration
web server and the customers computer and associated wireless
internet User Equipment.
Inventors: |
Jones; William John;
(Chippenham, GB) ; Bowring; Michael; (Stroud,
GB) |
Assignee: |
WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
LLC.
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
24511455 |
Appl. No.: |
13/396223 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09626699 |
Jul 27, 2000 |
8117291 |
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13396223 |
|
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09432824 |
Nov 2, 1999 |
6865169 |
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09626699 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/414.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 8/265 20130101;
H04W 12/06 20130101; H04L 69/329 20130101; H04W 12/00518 20190101;
H04L 63/083 20130101; H04L 67/14 20130101; H04L 63/0853
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/414.1 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/00 20090101
H04W004/00 |
Claims
1. A method of operating a cellular wireless Internet access system
as part of an Internet Network including registration of new
wireless Internet access customers/users having personal computers
(PCs) where each user utilizes a portable user equipment typically
with a directly attached antenna for communicating in a wireless
manner on a cellular network with an integrated network controller,
the method comprising the following steps: the user acquires said
user equipment along with magnetic storage means such as a CD
having predetermined software and data for use in said
registration; connecting said terminal to said PC and installing
the CD in the PC and allowing a wizard in said predetermined
software to control the PC and its connected User Equipment; under
the direction of the wizard in the PC, the User Equipment is
commanded to communicate in a wireless manner using an anonymous
communications session which permits it to communicate only with a
predetermined registration web server via authentication of a
predefined temporary `new user` ID and `new user` password stored
on the CD; if properly connected, a point-to-point protocol (PPP)
link is set up between the PC and its associated User Equipment and
the registration web server, and then credit card, other personal
details and type of service required are entered, the web server
also having a list of allowable (Internet Service Providers) ISPs
and if required their respective registration software for
download; if authorized by said registration web server, giving to
the user a permanent User ID and a permanent password and providing
said User ID and password to an access operator authentication
server as part of the Internet network; thereafter, allowing normal
wireless Internet connections to a said allowable ISP for an
Internet session which is authorized using customer information
acquired by such registration.
2. A method as in claim 1 where said servers for said wireless
Internet access system operate using the RADIUS standard, RADIUS
being normally used in public switched telephone networks for
dial-up Internet access.
3. A method as in claims 1 and 2 where portable wireless Internet
users can register with a predetermined wireless Internet access
operator without having to sign up for service via a retail outlet.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
09/432,824, filed Nov. 2, 1999, entitled "CELLULAR WIRELESS
INTERNET ACCESS SYSTEM USING SPREAD SPECTRUM AND INTERNET PROTOCOL
(IP)."
INTRODUCTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to the use of Internet web
technology to register wireless access customers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The above application describes a cellular wireless Internet
access system which operates in the 2 gigahertz or other frequency
bands to provide high data rates to fixed and portable wireless
Internet devices. Such users connect to near-by base stations which
in turn communicate to Integrated Network Controllers which are
then connected to the Internet. Such wireless implementation
relates to an access network of the UMTS (Universal Mobile
Telephone Service) and its subset UTRAN (Universal Terrestrial
Radio Access Network) standards.
[0004] In order to gain service in a cellular wireless network of
the types similar to the above, a sales representative at a retail
location typically takes customer information, credit card number
and credit history, etc. That information used to create an account
with a cellular service provider, with the customer information
stored on the service provider's Home Location Register (HLR) or
other customer database. A SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card is
then associated with the account and placed within the cellular
terminal (typically, a mobile phone or wireless Internet
device).
[0005] Both of the above techniques are cumbersome, requiring
action on the part of the retailer or network service provider, and
creating a time delay before a new customer can use the service. It
is therefore desired to allow the user to self-register to gain
access to Internet services over the wireless system as above.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a method for allowing a new customer in a wireless Internet
system to self-register.
[0007] In accordance with the above object, there is provided a
method of operating a cellular wireless Internet access system
including registration of wireless Internet access users having a
personal computer (PC) or similar device where each user utilizes
portable wireless User Equipment (UE) typically with a directly
attached antenna for communicating in a wireless manner with a
cellular network controller, the method comprising the steps of the
user acquiring the User Equipment along with magnetic, storage
means (CD) having predetermined software for use in registration.
Next, the terminal is connected to the PC and the CD installed in
the PC. A wizard in the predetermined software controls the PC and
its connected wireless User Equipment.
[0008] Under the direction of the wizard in the PC, the User
Equipment is commanded to communicate in a wireless manner with the
wireless network. Because the customer has not previously
registered with the wireless access network operator, it is only
permitted on the network as an anonymous subscriber and is
permitted to communicate only with the network operator's
registration web server. This is achieved by the use of a special
`new user` ID and password pre-programmed on the CD. A
communication session is established between the PC, User Equipment
and the network operator's registration web server (via wireless
access), and credit card, other personal details and type of
service required are entered. The registration web server contains
a list of allowable ISPs that can be accessed on the system this
list is used for subsequent accesses after registration has
completed. The user enters a preferred User ID and if authorized by
the registration server, the customer is allocated a User ID and
Password; the same information is transferred to PC and the access
network operator's Home Location Register (which contains the
database of authorized customers). Thereafter, the subscriber is
authorized to use the network and can establish normal connections
on the wireless network and to allowable ISPs (Internet Service
Providers) for an Internet session and access to any part of the
Internet permitted by that ISP.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an Internet system illustrating
the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0011] Referring now to FIG. 1, two users of the Internet access
system are illustrated at 21 and 22 with User Equipments, known as
User Equipment (UE), connected by a typical data connection to the
computer using RS232, USB or Ethernet. The personal computer has a
CD drive or similar media input device in which a special compact
disk, or similar media, containing software including a wizard
(that is, the instructional system procedures for registration)
which is placed in the CD drive. Both the UE and CD are acquired
and purchased at some retail location or by mail. In any case, both
the CD and the UE are at the location of the user.
[0012] The wireless access UE 21 and 22, as described in the above
application, are a part of a UMTS/UTRAN system which by many
wireless techniques (a specific novel one is described in the above
application) communicates in a wireless manner via a UTRAN network
as indicated by the symbol 23 to an Integrated Network Controller
(INC) 24. Such controller may be connected by wireline or otherwise
to an Internet Protocol (IP) Network 31. As discussed in the above
pending application, the Integrated Network Controller 24 includes
an RNC or Radio Network Controller 26 which controls and allocates
the radio network resources and provides reliable delivery of user
traffic between a base station (described in the above pending
application) and User Equipment (UK) and eventually the Integrated
Network Controller (JNC) 24. An SGSN (Serving General Packet Radio
Service Support Node) 27 provides session control and connection to
the Access Operator Radius Authentication Server 34 and, lastly,
LAC 28 (layer 2 Tunneling Protocol Access Concentrator) provides
the gateway functionality to the Internet Service Providers (ISP)
40 and to the registration server. A Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol
Network Server (LNS) 30 terminates communication tunnels from the
LAC through the IP network. The Access Operator Radius
Authentication Server 34 supports the Home Location Register (HLR)
functionality (described in the above pending application). The
Access Operator Registration Server 36 provides the facilities for
a new user to register.
[0013] The Integrated Network Controller 24 also illustrates that
it incorporates a "RADIUS" client 29. RADIUS is a system including
the software that supports centralized access control for Internet
access, which, as discussed above, is traditionally used where the
access to the Internet is via the public switched telephone
network. A description of RADIUS is provided by an article RFC 2138
Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service (RADIUS) by C. Rigney,
et al., April 1997.
[0014] In all cases of communication of a user equipment 21 or 22
through the Internet Protocol Network, illustrated as 31,
authentication is performed by the user equipment (UK) signaling
the customer's wireless access authentication information which is
passed over the air to Integrated Network Controller 24 which
queries a RADIUS server authentication service with the user ID
(identification) and temporary password. The RADIUS server used is
the Access Operator's RADIUS Authentication Server 34 which
communicates with the Integrated Network Controller via the IP
network using UDP/IP protocols with additional protocol layers for
security.
[0015] In the case of a new user, a `new user` ID and temporary
password, preprogrammed in the CD software, is signaled to the
Access Operator RADIUS Authentication Server 34 via the INC 24. The
Access Operator RADIUS Authentication Server 34 recognizes the user
as a `new user` and communicates a set of protocol filters to the
INC 24 that results in a PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) session
being set up between the User's PC and the Access Operator's
Registration Server 36 via the Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol
communication link 32 and bars the user from accessing any other
service. The Access Operator's Registration Server 36 is connected
to the subscriber account management and billing system 37.
[0016] Thus, the foregoing constitutes the anonymous session link
where a general or non-authenticated user can still gain access to
the wireless access operator's registration server for the purpose
of new-user registration. The accompanying legend indicates the
various paths. A UMTS access network operator 33 provides the
special servers 34 and 36 along with the billing system 37.
[0017] The flow charts of FIG. 2 aptly describes the operation
shown in the block diagram system of FIG. 1. After Start, in Step
1, the user purchases the equipment, which has been defined as the
User Equipment (UK) and a CD with the appropriate software and
wizard procedure installed on it. A manual is also provided. The CD
also contains, besides the installation software, the required
software drivers. The user residence when the user purchases the
foregoing may be checked for coverage via use of the user's zip
code or other geographic information. This information can all be
provided by Internet web access.
[0018] In Step 2, the User Equipment is connected to the PC. This
connection can be USB, Ethernet, RS 232, etc., as illustrated in
FIG. 1.
[0019] In Step 3, the User Equipment is installed on the PC. This
is done through the wizard software and will support all the
connection interfaces specified; that is, the RS 232, USB or
Ethernet. Steps 3a and 3b are precautionary checks. In Step 3a, the
UE installation software checks that the modem is connected
correctly and operational. If no return is made because of a failed
installation process, designated by the A, a cell search is
performed in the next Step 3b. Here, the User Equipment received
signal quality is measured and reported to the user via the
installation wizard. Again, if the quality of the signal fails, a
return is made to Start. In effect, registration will not be
possible.
[0020] In Step 4, the user's PC, using standard "attention" (AT)
modem commands, sends new user ID and temporary password to the UE.
Then in step 5 the UE sends this authentication information over
the air to the RNC 26 which is passed onto the Radius Client 29 and
the SGSN 27 which, queries the RADIUS server 34 with the "new user"
ID and temporary `new user` password. In step 6 the RADIUS server
34 responds with acceptance plus a set of protocol filters to be
applied in the SGSN 27 to the traffic for this specific
registration session. The protocol filters serve to bar this user
from accessing other Internet services or sites other than the
predetermined registration server 36. The RADIUS server also
details the ISP, in this case an ISP at the access network
operator, to connect to the UMTS access operator 33 and to the
registration web server 36.
[0021] Next, in Step 7, the Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol Access
Concentrator 28 in the Radio Network Controller 24 sets up, as
shown by the dashed line 32 in FIG. 1, a communications tunnel to
LNS 30 and waits for a PPP (point-to-point protocol) connection
request to come in. In step 8, the PC "dialer" software then
proceeds to initiate a PPP session which is passed to the LNS via
layer 2 tunneling protocol for authentication. In step 9, the LNS
then terminates the various protocols used within PPP for setting
up the connection and validates a dial-up "new user" user ID and
password passed over the PPP. This involves a second query to the
RADIUS server 34 represented by path 41.
[0022] In Step 10, once the dialer is connected to the personal
computer, PC, via the PPP, the installation wizard activates the
PC's web browser, which will then download a web page for
registration from the Registration Web Server 36. Then, in step 11,
the user is prompted to enter preferred user ID, password, credit
card details, personal details, type of service required. A list of
allowable ISPs supported by the Access Operator is provided as well
as their specific registration software if required. Information on
the types of service available is provided via the registration web
page. In step 12, when the user has entered the appropriate data
and "clicked to send" the information is sent to the registration
server. In step 13 the registration server checks the information
entered (including credit card authorization if required) and
generates a permanent password. If the requested User ID has
already been allocated the user will be provided with an option or
requested to enter a new User ID. In step 14 the user is informed
of successful registration via a web page downloaded from the
Registration Web Server 36 that contains the user's name and
permanent password, and the RADIUS server 34, is updated with the
appropriate user information and the selected user name and
password for wireless access. This is all saved on the PC for
future use. Finally, in step 15, the registration Internet session
is then terminated.
[0023] The user is now registered with the Access Operator,
assuming credit checks have been successful, and normal Internet
wireless access can be requested with a new session.
[0024] In the case of the present invention, the new customer's
User Equipment (UE) sends identifying information which is a `new
user` ID and `new user` password when requesting connection to the
wireless access network. This is gained in a special anonymous
connection. And, as discussed above, through protocol filters, the
connection for registration can be suitably restricted.
[0025] Thus, customers may purchase their user equipment from a
retail outlet. They will then connect their equipment to their
personal computer and be able to use it to gain Internet access for
the purpose of registering themselves and creating their account
on-line. This user initiated registration is made possible by the
use of the above-described wireless web-based Internet registration
process.
* * * * *